Businesses warn General Election 'must not be about Brexit alone'

UK businesses have warned that the upcoming General Election on 8 June ‘must not be about Brexit alone’.

The warning comes within an election manifesto, published by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

In the document, the BCC made a call for action to be taken on a range of domestic issues, including improving the competitiveness of the UK’s business environment, upgrading its physical and digital infrastructure and encouraging local growth.

The BCC has outlined five key criteria, against which business communities will judge the next government. These include its ability to deliver a globally competitive business environment, unlock the growth potential of local business communities and revolutionise the UK’s infrastructure. Supporting UK exporters to drive economic growth and working with businesses to gain the best possible deal with the EU are also amongst the key criteria.

The business group also urged the new government to ‘provide business communities with clear answers’ to the pragmatic and practical questions surrounding Brexit.

Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the BCC, said: ‘While businesses all across the UK want a good Brexit deal, they are very clear that decisions taken here at home matter as much – if not more – to our future growth prospects.

‘The best possible Brexit deal won’t be worth the paper it’s written on if firms cannot recruit and train the right people, get decent digital connectivity, or get their goods to their market.

‘At this election, business communities want a clear commitment from all parties to create the best possible conditions for growth, in every region and nation of the UK.’